A SHOPKEEPER is retiring after 44 years serving the people of Kington.

Cliff Hodges has decided to close his business, Cliff Hodges Menswear, which he ran with his wife, Sally.

The family started trading in Kington in 1970 at 41, High Street selling general goods before expanding into number 40 where they sold hardware.

They progressed to opening the supermarket vacated by Lipton Stores (now Kington Supermarket) before selling it in 1988.

Cliff's brother, Ken took over the hardware store (now occupied by Border Bean) and he opened his clothing shop at number 41.

He said: "I am proud that Cliff Hodges Menswear opened in June 1988 and still attracts customers who have bought their clothes from me for its entire 26-year lifespan.

"The shop will not remain in the family as my son Steve had been serving in shops since he was a toddler standing on a box and has long decided that he didn’t want to run a business of his own.

"I am touched by the reaction of people to the news that my shop is to cease trading.

"Many of the people who come in have become more than customers to me, they have become friends."

Cliff, 65, planned to sell the business as a going concern but said in the current economic climate this was not an option, so he will look to market the property in the coming months.

He said in recent years it has become much harder for businesses to trade and hopes residents will continue to support the town's shops.

Cliff added: "I would also like to thank everyone for their support over the years and especially over the last 18 months which have been difficult on a personal level.

"Our daughter Sarah died in May 2013 at the age of just 39, due to complications relating to her diabetes.

"Sarah was survived by her daughter, Hollie, who we are bringing up. Sally and I will continue to live in Kington with our granddaughter, continuing to see plenty of our son and daughter-in-law and their children Nathan, Alice and Jacob."

There is no official closing date but it will gradually start to wind down in the next few weeks.